Technology and Corporate Evil. Ed209 is the robot
that doesn't work but makes money for the developers. (Writer of
Robocop understands this as a symbol of the American attitude in
Vietnam brought to the urban situation. Names one of the scientists
"MacNamara". [DVD commentary])

Verhoeven says in DVD commentary that he has
RoboCop walk on water to emphasize the parallel with Jesus.
Verhoeven is trying to make a comment about institutional religion -
people who kill others in the name of Christ and in the name of
their faith have somehow perverted God's/Christ's intention. He
chuckles that he may not have accomplished what he intended.

Integrity/Identity

Robo/Murphy's journey to discover who he is/was. He
is not just a machine, but he has a history and an identity as a
person with integrity. The attempt to create him as totally machine
(the decision not to save his one usable limb!) is thwarted through
some innate sense of identity and integrity. When asked his name at
the end of the film, he says, "Murphy".

"Frankenstein"/"Beauty and the
Beast" scene where Robo removes his mask and looks into the
mirror.

Paradise/Eden

Verhoeven says in the DVD commentary that he is
consciously creating Paradise Lost when Robo/Murphy visits Murphy's
house and remembers his family.